All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
The True Vine ...
I find the book of John chapter 15: 1-6 very challenging. I have tried to figure it out but I think I need some help.
1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser.
2 "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruits He prunes, that it may bear more fruits
3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 "Abide in Me, and and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruits; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, He is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned".
I would be grateful if some brothers or sisters could clarify these verses for me, especially - the second verse.
Thanks and God bless.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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Verse 2 speaks of pruning. What is God's pruning process? It sounds painful. When we prune a rose bush or a fruit tree, we cut off unnecessary branches to make it grow taller or make it look better and hopefully to make it bear not just more fruit but better fruit. If we don't know how to prune we can hurt or kill the tree. Pruning also has to be done at the right time.
God knows how to prune us to make us strong and healthy spiritually.
Many will say that God would never do anything to hurt His children, including never discipline them in a painful way. But I think it is through the circumstances of our lives that God does His pruning, which are often very painful and involve the consequences associated with our bad choices that we are responsible for ourselves but I also think that God allows us special circumstances to prune us, such as the thorn in Saint Paul that was meant to keep him from becoming conceited.
Hebrews 5:8 tells me that even Jesus was pruned although Jesus did not have a sin nature and never disobeyed. He was still human and still suffered and He grew in stature and wisdom. Luke 2:52. Pruning brings growth.
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Permalink Reply by Lina on
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Thanks Amanda, but could the pruning be the trials and tribulations in our lives? What does He mean by not bearing fruits? Are the fruits what are expected of us as children of God? I've always thought the fruits are our actions towards our neightbours and how we present Christ to others who don't know Him; I hope I am right.
As children of God, we should live lives that depict our belief and faith and our actions should speak louder than our words?
I also think this verse cautions our way of life; if we say we belong to Christ our lives should be Christlike.
I am just glad to know that pruning brings growth and not death.
Thanks sister and God bless you.
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I do think pruning does involve our "sufferings"--trials and tribulations. God uses the circumstances in our lives as learning experiences working out Romans 8:28 for us. I am certain there are others who have a different POV but I believe the sanctification process is painful at times and is God's will.
Perhaps you have heard this story before--it says it better than I can:
THE SILVERSMITH
Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).
One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject.
She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"
"Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.
Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"
"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."
-Author Unknown To Me
Hebrews 5 says:
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
To be Christlike is our goal--actually Christ is our goal, to see Him face to face and know as we are known.
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10, NIV).
If he suffered on earth according to God's will, then we do also. I cannot see that any of our sufferings can come to us without them being part of God's will.
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Permalink Reply by RoyW on
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The part about the silversmith is beautiful. I am wiping the tears away. That hit my heart as I think about His love and determination to make us just right. We are going to make it, aren't we? Do you know if that process has been verified by other sources?
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This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God. (Zechariah 13:9, NIV)
I suppose you could call a silver refiner to verify the process of refining silver and how they do it.
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Permalink Reply by Mary O on
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Amanda, thanks for sharing about the silversmith.
Love and God bless,
Mary
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How amazing! The story clarifies this verse so well for me to understand. Thanks Amanda, it becomes clear to me now, why christians have to go through such trials sometimes. If these trials don't come our way we don't get the priviledge of being pruned. God in His goodness takes time off to refine and purify us to suit His image... Glory to God. What an amazing Father we have. .. until He could see His own image!!! Glory.
I wonder what it would be like if He leaves us untended; we'll just be wild and unsuitable for His use. I wish I could print this post and read it daily, as a reminder. No wonder, St Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "No matter what happens always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus".
I am happy to be a member of this community of AAG; how could I have got this information.
Thank you and God bless!
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Permalink Reply by Gary Schultz on
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Hi Linda,
Amanda did a nice job of explaining the fruits, I agree with what she offered.
I will just add an observation. I have seen many people grow in their walk and faith. I have noticed that as they grow they become more concerned with others and what they can do for them.They come to realise that they have a responsibility to others and begin to focus on being Christ like rather than on themselves.They become fruitful.
We are saved by grace not by acts. I do believe that once we become "saved" we want to do for others and God. I think these acts are part of the fruits and draw us closer to God. Using our "gifts" in the service of God is being fruitful. I have experienced pruning. I didn't enjoy it at the time, but looking back I can say I did bare more fruit.
It would be nice if God would just tap me on the shoulder and say,"Wake up, I need you to change" but the truth is, I learn better through an experience. I think that's what makes pruning so tough. No one likes to go through the hard times but it's the hard times that draw us closer to God and teach us valuable lessons.
Just my thoughts. God bless.
God is soooo coool
Gary
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Hi Gary.
I really wasn't explaining the fruits. I was focusing in on verse 2 and the pruning and what it might look like and on sufferings--which do lead to fruit bearing in many people. The life of Joni Eareckson Tada is a good example IMO.
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Permalink Reply by Jenny on
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A wonderful book on this topic is no longer in print but can be viewed in full here:
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/5f00.0562/5f00.0562.c.htm
By a wonderful Christian man, Andrew Murray, this book is called Abide in Christ and it has blessed me (although there's much of it I still don't fully comprehend:)
Jenny
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